A series of four studies examined why attending live music events benefits well-being. The researchers used both university and community samples and surveyed people who had recently been to music festivals and concerts. Sample sizes in the four studies ranged roughly from about 130 to 180 participants, with one study using 290 participants.
The paper identifies collective effervescence (CE) as a key social mechanism. CE describes a combined sense of connection to others and a sensation of sacredness that people feel when they share an intense group experience, such as a live musical performance. The first two studies established a close link between CE and the positive outcomes people report after live events; the final two studies replicated those findings and suggested the benefits can linger for days.
The authors note that CE can occur in other shared activities, so opportunities to increase well-being extend beyond music. Nicole Koefler, the paper's corresponding author, said the feeling builds on humans' need to connect and invited people to seek chances to celebrate and connect. The results appear in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. Source: University at Buffalo.
Difficult words
- collective effervescence — shared emotional energy in a group experience
- well-being — general state of health and happiness
- replicate — repeat a study to confirm its resultsreplicated
- sacredness — quality of being respected or holy
- linger — remain for a longer time than expected
- mechanism — a process that produces a specific effect
- participant — a person who takes part in a studyparticipants
- survey — ask people questions to collect informationsurveyed
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Discussion questions
- What other shared activities, besides live music, might create collective effervescence and why?
- Why might the benefits from attending live events continue for days after the event?
- How could communities encourage opportunities for connection that increase well-being?
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